“Unrelenting opposition-Unstoppable expansion”

Opposition to the gospel and to God’s people is common in the book of Acts. The gospel and God’s truth are so radically different to the thinking of the world that those who follow Him should expect opposition.

The big deal in Acts is this-God’s Kingdom moves forward despite unrelenting opposition.

Luke, the writer of Acts makes it clear throughout the book- Nothing, no one; no people groups, no spiritual forces, no events, nothing can hinder the forward movement of God’s Story; the establishing of His church and the expansion of His Kingdom.  Jesus said; “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” “Will not prevail against” means= “will not overcome”, “will not prove stronger than”. His church moves forward, His Kingdom cannot, will not be stopped.

 Unrelenting opposition would not stop God’s activity.  “But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.” Acts 4:4 The message was unstoppable; God was undeterred, His Kingdom would expand. The core of the message that fuels the unrelenting opposition yet empowers the unstoppable expansion of God’s Kingdom is “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

 How does God expand His Kingdom today? Just as He did in the beginning, in the book of Acts- “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 God used ordinary people who were with Jesus, who were led and empowered by His Spirit to expand His Kingdom.

They were “unschooled and ordinary”-   The principle- “God uses ordinary people”; real, ordinary, everyday folks. Ordinary people, living and responding with extraordinary faith, courage, boldness, simply because they had been with Jesus. The principle- “being with Jesus empowers ordinary people for extraordinary lives and service”. If you’re ordinary and unschooled God wants to move His story forward through you and your life.

 God’s church will not be stopped. The church built by Jesus, empowered by His Spirit is always moving forward; driving back the enemy and setting people free. And God has always used ordinary people- people who have been with Jesus and are filled with His Spirit; Here’s the Big Deal- “God’s Kingdom moves forward through the lives of Spirit led, Spirit empowered followers.” God’s engine is Holy Spirit and the wheels are the Spirit filled lives of His people.

Throughout history God has been moving His Story forward, expanding His Kingdom; He will do it from here to the ends of the earth; and from now until eternity; and we can participate with Him. We can be part of His Kingdom generation to expand His Kingdom under our watch. It will happen, God will complete what He started, He will expand His Kingdom. Only question is- will you be a part? Will you be one of those ordinary men and women who were with Jesus, led and empowered by His Spirit, and used by God to expand His Kingdom?